And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishermen. And he said to them: Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. - Matthew 4: 18- 19.

Monday, April 19, 2010

My boys have been taking Spanish I with Ms. Carmen since the Fall. She is a joyful woman with a passion to see kids fluent in Spanish. This is a free class for us homeschoolers, but a true ministry to her. Carmen is the one who inspired me to teach Civics as a ministry from God. I do really think she was onto something. It is so much more a blessing when you do it that way and never a chore. She also uses lots of games (left-brain) and activities to teach Spanish. Leave the books at home. We're talking charts, crosswords, Spanish Candyland, etc.

As part of their graduation from class, all 3 levels of Spanish are invited to go to a Spanish-speaking luncheon at the local Mexican restaurant. This year was LaBamba's. If you sat at Ms. Carmen's table, you had to speak primarily Spanish the entire time. I dodged her and sat with little ones (AKA-the English-speaking table). LOL. BUT, my kids made it at the fluent table.

I look forward to Spanish II next year. Who knew that learning could be so much fun??

Saturday, April 17, 2010

On my birthday, the Scripture that popped up for our ladies online study (We're doing Esther by Beth Moore.) was Esther 9:19 "A day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents."

It was amazing that God had prearranged my whole schedule & life so that this Scripture would pop up on my birthday. I was in awe. I had been very sick all week and didn't feel like celebrating; yet God wanted to recognize it.

Last night, I was feeling the wallows of self-pity because my throat was still too bad for singing this Sunday and I'm left partially deaf w/ lovely ringing in my right ear. I was sick of being sick. Know what I mean?? I asked for prayer from just a few people that I knew would have the time to pray earnestly for me.

A received a couple replies back immediately by email. Today, the presents started coming. Not birthday presents, but blessings of food!! Rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, potato salad, regular salad, beans, marshmallow salad and this beautiful gift basket filled with cookies & candies and Beth Moore Scripture. I could have cried! I went to get the mail and one of my senior prayer partners & adoptive Memaw and Granddad had a card sitting in there for me. It was a belated birthday card but spoke of prayers for my health.

The one lady dropped off the food and said she wasn't sure exactly what we liked so she got a variety. "Simon Peter" says, "I like Doritos" not thinking of the consequences of his words. Not 15 minutes after she left, she came back again with BAGS of Doritos for the boys. I didn't know what to say other than thanks over and over. She wouldn't even accept a hug because she didn't want my germs. LOL.

My mind went to a Scripture in Philippians where Paul was given gifts by his ministry partners.

Phil 4: 14-20 14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.20To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

To Mae, Marie and any other blessors unknown to me, I thank you for the gifts, but not just for my sake, but for the sake that God will bless you for being so thoughtful and generous. May He see it as acceptable and pleasing in His eyes and meet all your needs accordingly. - Robin

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I'm sure that I must bore some of you with my garden pictures. Gardening is a great hobby for me. Yes, it is labor-intensive but very fulfilling when I get to eat all the fresh veggies. I enjoy my quiet time out there too. If I could, I'd have triple the size of this garden, but I don't think the family would like that.

Anyhow, these pictures were taken nearly a week ago already. The garden is 7 wks old today. It is going great!!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

In the area of fine arts, Vignettes are quickly rendered, impressionistic scenes that focus on one moment or give an impression about a character or a setting. You can use any medium to create a vignette but remember, you're traveling, so consider mobility.

Andrew's art class met at the beach on Saturday to draw vignettes. It was an opportunity I didn't want him to miss inspite of me being sick. Here are my "vignettes" of them drawing vignettes.

(Andrew & Ms D)

This would be an awesome family project for those of you who homeschool. You don't have to travel to the beach. It could be a field, a playground, zoo or park. Make sure everybody has some sketch paper.

Spend about 5 minutes at each stop. Make a few stops and point out interesting things to draw. When you get home, break out the watercolors, colored pencils, crayons and then fill in the color. It is a lot of fun.

I'll have to find & scan some of the vignettes at a later date. Very fun way to spend the afternoon. When we got back to the picnic tables in the shade, we all had a water/snack break. We continued cracking jokes & drawing the things around us. I even sketched out the condo next to the parking lot. Lots of fun.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

I have been off from teaching all week and I haven't stopped moving yet. Everyday, I'm in my flower beds. I really would like to shoot the former mistress of this house who put in so many "gardens". Was she nuts?? It is way too hot to tend to all of them through the summer heat so I thought I'd better get them all weeded, edged & pretty while we're still in the 80's. For multiple hours each day, I pulled up those cement borders and resituated them much higher since many were disappearing under soil. Dead things are gone. Annuals are planted. My farmer's tan is turning into a full-blown tan as each day is getting hotter & hotter. I've begun working on the pool, dumping plenty of chemicals in there. It's a cloudy blue.

Tomorrow, I absolutely insist on taking a day off and going to the beach. I know I'm suppose to clean the inside of this office/school room too, but not now. Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Why do today what you can put off until Tues when school starts back up for us. LOL.

Simon Peter is in Ft. Pierce with his Youth ministry. They are playing paintball. He's going to be exhausted when he comes home between the heat & the fun. He just called and said he got shot right in the mask and the paint sprayed through to his teeth. Nice. Then, he got popped 3x in the rear. Somebody had fun at his expense.

Andrew played on the computer, whined in the heat watching me clean the pool and then ended up watching tv. It's so hard to know what to do when you don't have a brother to bother or mother to avoid. Don't feel sorry for him. He's the reason why I'm not at the beach today. LOL. He had swimmer's ear from last Thurs at the beach, so his ear hurt & he fevered on Tues. Now, he's all better and refuses to even look at the beach. (Well, until I kidnap him tomorrow and force him.)

Jack is working hard at another end-of-the month week. The cobia migration is here and so we'll probably fish on Monday. My parents are arriving in St. Thomas at any moment. Everybody is healthy & happy, so I'll keep this short & sweet. If I wait to upload pics & resize them, this thing will never get sent.